"Celeste, have you lost your mind? This is my fault. I should have kept the engagement a secret. I'm sorry I pushed you over the edge."
My mother glared at me.
"Ascend is a Fortune 500 company. If you're going to lie, at least make it believable!"
The guests were practically doubled over with laughter.
"The moment those words left her mouth, I knew for sure she'd lost her mind."
"She must be so obsessed she's actually fantasizing about working at the same company as him! Ascend has insanely strict hiring standards. I applied three times and never got in."
Patrick's phone buzzed.
I caught the name on the screen. It was my business partner.
Patrick froze for a second, then answered.
"You're nearby?"
"Sure, I'll come get you."
He hung up and shot me a look, brow furrowed. "Get her out of here. The last thing I need is her making a scene in front of the VP."
Someone grabbed me immediately.
A few eyes lit up around the room.
"Ascend's VP is coming here? Oh my God, I might actually meet someone like that?"
"All thanks to Patrick! We get to rub shoulders with a Fortune 500 executive!"
"Would someone please drag this lunatic away before she ruins the whole evening?"
Servants were urged forward.